Are you one of those who doesn’t speak up in case you don’t know the answer?

Not long ago I was working with a client whose problem wasn’t with the presentation itself but more with what to do if he was asked questions … and the worry of having to come up with answers on the fly stopped him offering to present. He didn’t want to look a fool if he didn’t know the answer.

It’s not the first time I’ve been told this and not just when presenting but it also stops people from speaking up in meetings or stepping out from the shadows at work.

If this is you my first question is … what would really happen if you didn’t know the answer? You aren’t Google so why would you have the answer to every question in your head?

What would probably happen is you would say you don’t know and so long as you follow it up with, “I’ll find out for you” … 99% of the time this will be more than enough.

My second question is … what do you look like when you’re about to answer an easy question?

The answer will be … You lean forward, smile, keep eye contact – you appear confident.

And now, how do you answer a challenging question or one you don’t know the answer to?

You probably look away, physically pull back, grimace, cough – appear unconfident?

Next time you get asked a challenging question … physical and vocally do the same as if you knew the answer and are comfortable with the question. Thereby you will be giving the impression of not being fazed and being confident.

You may not know the answer but that doesn’t mean you aren’t capable.